Code of Conduct and Ethos

The Society comes first – Do not make decisions with any improper purpose or personal motive; Loyalty to the Society comes above personal ambition or ego.

Equality – Everyone involved in Amateur Radio should be treated equally, except for those RSGB membership benefits that are only available to members.

Respect – Respect others by never acting in a way that lessens the pleasure of others; live the values of openness, honesty and integrity at all times in order to earn the respect of others. Respect race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, culture and custom

Accountability – Hold yourself accountable to our members.

Conduct within Committees, working groups, etc

Majority decision-making prevails – Make your points as robustly as you like, but work shoulder-to-shoulder once the decision has been taken

No Conflicts of Interest– Declare all and any, however tenuous. Work though personal networks, but in a transparent fashion.

Confidentiality– Transparency and confidentiality are not mutually exclusive, seen Note 1 below. Use Chatham House Rules (note 2). Do not be tempted to promote one’s ego by communicating through use of social media, e-mail, etc during or after meetings.

Notes

Meeting input papers, discussion, actions and outcomes shall remain confidential until released to members by publication of the meeting minutes or summary on the RSGB website or otherwise as determined by the meeting. The use of social media and e-mail to provide real time account is prohibited unless authorised by the meeting chair. Eventual publication of the details of the meeting, including the treatment of input papers, is a matter for the chair of the meeting to determine. Papers and discussions deemed to be confidential shall be so noted by the chair of the meeting and their distribution shall remain confidential until such time as their status is changed to releasable to the full membership

Chatham House rule “When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under Chatham House Rules, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed”. May be applied at the discretion of the meeting.

RSGB Ethos

The RSGB core ethos revolves around the following values and characteristics:

Ethical, professional and high integrity

Financially sound

Innovative, creative

Respected

Good value

A “Can do” organization

Credible (delivers on its promises) and authoritative

Transparent

Responsive

The following is an extract from the Second Report of the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life, May 1996. The RSGB considers that all staff and volunteers within the Society should uphold its values:

SELFLESSNESS

Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

INTEGRITY

Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.

OBJECTIVITY

In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

OPENNESS

Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

HONESTY

Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

LEADERSHIP

Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.